Cameron County Drainage District # 5

01/08/2026

Cities, irrigation districts, drainage districts, County, and TxDOT are coming together to be proactive and to work collaboratively in preparation for future events.

NWS Meteorologist Barry Goldsmith will be providing an update on what he is forecasting this year.

01/07/2026

CCDD5 partnered with Rio Valley Switching Company to clean the trestle, improving flow and reducing potential blockages.

Here are the before and after photos.

11/05/2025

The Cameron County Drainage District #5 asks for your help in reporting any illegal dumping of debris (such as tires or other materials) into our drainage system.

Our crews earlier today had to remove three round bales that were dumped into the Stuart Place Main. Incidents like this not only block the natural flow of stormwater during heavy rains but also divert our equipment and personnel from other important maintenance work.

To report illegal dumping, please contact the Drainage District at 956-423-6411 or call 911. Thank you.

11/04/2025

This photo shows the bridge on Hand Road in Combes.

Cameron County Drainage District #5, in partnership with the La Feria Irrigation District, has begun cleaning the box culverts beneath the bridges to remove accumulated sediment and debris. Keeping these culverts clear helps ensure they can carry the intended volume of water and allow them to flow properly without any restrictions.

Cameron County Drainage District #5, in addition to working on securing grants, on fostering partnerships with cities, also remains committed to investing on the maintenance of its drainage system.

10/30/2025

Here is a photo of Steve Jennings, the President of CCDD5, speaking at the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony the City of Primera hosted for the Richmond Hills Drainage Project.

Cameron County Drainage District #5:
1. Was recently awarded over $10M from NRCS to stabilize the banks of the North Main Drain Channel after the damages this channel sustained after the March 2025 event.

2. Working on over $70M in grants (that includes this NRCS grant)

3. Widening channels and expanding detention ponds

4. Collaborating on joint projects such as this Richmond Hills Drainage Project with the City of Primera and the widening of the North Main Drain (on Business 77) with the City of Harlingen.

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About Cameron County Drainage District #5:
Formed in 1993 following widespread flooding from Tropical Depression Two, CCDD5 spans approximately 40 square miles across Cameron County, including parts of Harlingen, Combes, Palm Valley, and Primera.
The district is governed by a three-member Board of Directors and operates with a team of four (4) employees. With a current tax rate of $0.14, CCDD5 generates around $3.8 million annually to fund operations, maintain infrastructure, repay Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) loans, and acquire land for future drainage improvements.
CCDD5 manages roughly 70 miles of open drainage channels that carry stormwater to the Arroyo Colorado, playing a vital role in the Valley’s regional flood management system.

10/24/2025

This morning, the City of Primera held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Richmond Hills Drainage Project.

This project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when individuals and government entities work together toward a common goal.

1. Developer Julio Carranza required that Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 (CCDD5) use the property use the 5 acres for drainage purposes.
2. CCDD5 then partnered with the La Feria Irrigation District to carry out the excavation work.
3. The City of Primera secured an ARPA grant from Cameron County to fund drainage improvements within the Richmond Hills subdivision.
4. The City of Primera secured a drainage easement linking the subdivision’s new drainage system to the new detention pond.

This project, in many ways, would not have been possible without the collaboration and shared commitment of all these partners.

, City of Primera

10/24/2025

Here's the Valley Morning Star story on Cameron County Drainage District #5 and its efforts to secure this federal grant to stabilize the banks damaged after the 2025 March event.

, City of Harlingen, City of Combes, Palm Valley

HARLINGEN — Nearly eight months after March’s record flood, county drainage district officials are taking on the area’s main channel’s biggest restoration project after landing a $13.2 million grant aimed at bolstering collapsing banks which are closing parts of the canal while threatening n...

09/26/2025

At last night’s ribbon cutting ceremony at TSTC, CCDD5 Board Members Steve Jennings, Jerry Wade, and Nick Consiglio had a chance to visit with U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

They asked for his support in helping move forward two grant applications—together worth more than $30 million—that have already been approved by the Texas Water Development Board and are now waiting on federal funding. Once released, these funds will help the District widen key drainage channels and build new downstream detention ponds to reduce flooding in our communities.

Photos from the event include: President Steve Jennings presenting a letter to Senator Cornyn requesting his assistance, Steve and Jerry Wade discussing the projects with him, and all three Board Members—Steve Jennings, Jerry Wade, and Nick Consiglio—pictured with the Senator.

While we continue making improvements with our current grant projects, we’re also working hard to secure additional funding for future drainage improvements that will benefit our entire community.

09/10/2025

https://riograndeguardian.com/stories/video-steve-jennings,33136

Widening existing drains and building more detention ponds are on Cameron County Drainage District No. 5's agenda.

09/08/2025

The City of Harlingen crews working on widening the North Main Drain channel.

The Cameron County Drainage District #5 and the City of Harlingen working together on this drainage improvement project.

Stay tuned for upcoming drainage improvement projects!

City of Harlingen, Cameron County Drainage District #5

09/05/2025

CCDD5 President Steve Jennings speaking at today’s event to kick off the drainage improvements the drainage district is partnering with the City of Harlingen on.

09/05/2025

CCDD5 Director Nick Consiglio conversing at today’s event with residents from Secluded Acres.